"Daddy...? "Little Nunu's lips trembled as she stared at Navid Byrd with wide, incredulous eyes.
Seeing the bewildered look in his daughter's eyes, the heart of the mighty warrior ached profoundly.
The bond of blood was indeed deep and undeniable.
"Yes, I'm sorry. Daddy's back, and no one in this world will ever dare to hurt you again," Navid said, gently smoothing his daughter's tangled hair, his voice filled with deep remorse.
"I... I don't have a daddy. Didn't he already die?" Nunu whispered, her eyes darting nervously as she shifted her small body.
Hearing this, Navid's forehead throbbed with anger.
To think his daughter had to fight with pigs for food, and they shamelessly claimed he was dead.
Sierra Yarrow, you are truly ruthless!
"Sweetheart, Daddy's not dead. Daddy's back, and that woman doesn't deserve to be your mom..."
Before Navid could finish, Nunu's body shook violently, and she yelled, "No, Mommy is good! You can't talk about Mommy like that..."
Feeling a deep sorrow, Navid pulled his daughter into his arms, letting her weak fists pound against him. "Mommy is the best in the world. You're not my daddy. You're the bad guy...!"
How much virtue must Sierra Yarrow have accumulated to have such a wonderful daughter?
That wicked woman, did she even deserve to be called a mother?
"Nunu, don't cry. Daddy will take you to see Mommy, to see her true colors, and find out if she deserves to be called a mother."
With that, he picked up his daughter and prepared to leave.
"No, I can't go. Mommy said not to disturb her while she's working. I have to be a good girl and wait for her to come back."
Navid Byrd's eyes froze for a moment, and he let out a cold smile. What a convenient excuse. What work? More like she's afraid of ruining her fun!.
"Put me down! Mommy works at a restaurant. Even though people say she's not pretty, to me, she's the most beautiful mommy. And lots of uncles give her money..."
The little girl blinked her big, dark eyes, looking confused as she continued to speak.
Navid felt a sharp pain in his heart as he listened to his daughter's words. A restaurant, Sierra Yarrow?
He hurriedly set his daughter down and asked seriously, "Sweetie, is Sierra Yarrow your mommy? And do you know your daddy's name?"
The dirty little face lit up with pride. "My mommy's name is Priya Yarrow, and my daddy's name is Navid Byrd. I remember it well!"
Navid was bewildered. "Then... who is Sierra Yarrow?"
"Huh? She's my aunt, but she always wants me to call her mommy. I don't like it!" The little face scrunched up in a pout, looking upset.
Navid's mind went blank, stunned. Priya Yarrow was his wife?
But why did the marriage certificate have Sierra Yarrow's name?
There was a heavy fog of mystery before him, and there had to be more to the story.
He was determined to uncover the truth. As a man of honor, he couldn't be fooled!
Navid picked up his daughter, kicked open the door, and strode inside.
"Damn it, who is it?" Humphrey Walker hurriedly pulled the blanket over his bare body, his eyes wide with anger.
Sierra Yarrow wasn't much better off, scrambling away from the man's embrace in a disheveled state. Just as she was about to lash out, a cold, deep voice echoed in her ear, "You don't recognize me?"
Navid Byrd stepped closer to Sierra, his emotions a whirlwind inside him.
Sierra's initial confusion quickly turned to shock, her face filled with disbelief. "You... you're Navid Byrd? You're alive?"
"Ha, not recognizing your own husband, how ironic!"
Navid's doubts vanished as he scrutinized the pale-faced Sierra with eyes as sharp as daggers.
They had married in haste, and he hadn't even gotten a good look at his new wife before being forced apart by enemies for years.
The only thing that could have identified her was the jade pendant with the character for "Summer" on it. Yet, the woman he had spent a night with as husband and wife didn't recognize him.
Five years of battles, who had he been longing for all this time?
Sierra's gaze darted around, unable to meet Navid's eyes. She stammered, "I heard from the authorities that you were dead, and there were no records of you. Can you blame me?"
Navid chuckled coldly. As the most esteemed War God of the Great Summer, his information was top secret, far beyond Sierra's reach.
"Explain this situation, or else..." He left the threat unfinished, but his menacing glare made the consequences clear.
Sierra shivered, pointing shakily at the little girl. "Her... where did you find her, and what about the people watching her?"
The girl trembled and hid in Navid's arms, clearly terrified of Sierra.
"They've gone where they belong. A vicious dog that bites is not to be kept around!"
Navid said, casting a pointed look at Humphrey.
Even though Humphrey Walker was a bit of a coward, he still tried to muster some bravado. How dare some lowly man challenge him?
Humphrey squinted his eyes, sizing up Navid Byrd with disdain. "You're just a pathetic fool, played by others. As a man, I'm embarrassed for you!"
Ignoring Humphrey's insults, Navid kept his gaze fixed on Sierra Yarrow, making her feel uneasy.
Sierra took a deep breath. How could she be intimidated by a useless coward? She leaned seductively against Humphrey, mocking, "Fooled for so many years, how does it feel? You thought you were someone important, but you're just as stupid as that Priya Yarrow."
Navid flinched, memories flooding back of the girl who helped him escape and the old man's dying wish. Yet, he had ultimately failed...
Seeing the pain and regret on Navid's face, Sierra felt a twisted satisfaction. Despite being a loser, Navid was handsome, and having such a good-looking man pine for her for years inflated her vanity.
She lifted her chin arrogantly. "Navid Byrd, bet you didn't expect that the woman you married wasn't your savior. Ha! That ugly duckling is a perfect match for you!"
Navid's hope shattered. Who had really saved him back then?
"Was it Priya Yarrow who saved me?" Navid asked, his eyes wide with realization.
"Ha, Frank, since he's been a fool for so long, why not tell him the truth?" Sierra laughed, nestled in Humphrey's arms, her mood jubilant.
"Alright, I'll play the good guy. The jade pendant you took actually belonged to Priya Yarrow. She was the one you were involved with.
Ever heard of a switcheroo? Her pendant was swapped long ago, and you, the fool, believed it all these years. It's hilarious!"
"Why? Why did you do this?" Navid clenched his fists, a fiery rage burning to consume the deceitful pair before him.
"That ugly duckling was already cast out by her family. She got even more hurt saving you and lost her status as the Summer family's lady.
Now, I'm the esteemed daughter of the Summer family. She's not even fit to carry my shoes."
Navid Byrd's ears buzzed, and his mind went blank. The woman he remembered always wore a veil, and now he realized it was to hide her scars...